HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD : do or say something exactly right nói chính xác, làm chính xác Ex:–> Mike hit the nail on the head when he said most people can use a computer without knowing
Trang 1Thành ngữ tiếng Anh (idioms) hay gặp trong đề thi 1.ONCE IN A WHILE/ AT TIMES/NOW AND THEN/ FROM TIME TO TIME thỉnh thoảng
2 ONCE IN THE BLUE MOON hiếm khi, năm thì mười hoạ
3 LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK’S BACK như nước đổ đầu vịt
4 AS OLD AS THE HILLS xưa như trái đất ( rất cũ)
5 GET OUT OF BED ON THE WRONG SIDE bực dọc, cáu kỉnh
6 LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIGHT = OPTIMISTIC = SANGUINE lạc quan
7 BE UNDER THE WEATHER khó ở, cảm thấy không khoẻ
8 BY AND LARGE/ IN GENERAL/ ON THE WHOLE nhìn chung
9 MAKE A PIG OF ONESELF ăn uống tham lam
10 AS QUIET AS A MOUSE/ AS MUTE AS A FISH câm như hến
11 BREAK A LEG : good luck! ( thường dùng để chúc may mắn )
Ex:–> I have heard that you’r gonna take a test tomorrow, break a leg, dude!!! (sounds funny hah???)
12 HIT THE BOOKS : to study (học)
Ex:–> I can’t go out tonight I’ve got to hit the books I’m having an exam tomorrow
13 WHEN PIGS FLY : something will never happen (điều vô tưởng, không thể xảy ra, )
14 SCRATCH SOMEONE’S BACK: help someone out with the assumption that they will return the favor
in the future (giúp đỡ người khác với hy vọng họ sẽ giúp lại mình)
Ex:–> “You scratch my back and I will scratch yours later,” the customer said when we talked about the new sales contact
15 HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD : do or say something exactly right (nói chính xác, làm chính xác)
Ex:–> Mike hit the nail on the head when he said most people can use a computer without knowing how it works
16 TAKE SOMEONE/SOMETHING FOR GRANTED: coi nhẹ
Ex:–> One of the problems with relationships is that after a while you begin to take each other for granted!!
17 TAKE SOMETHING INTO ACCOUNT/ CONSIDERATION: to remember to consider something
(tính đến cái gì, xem xét việc gì)
Ex:–> We will take your long year of service into account when we make our final decision
18 PUT SOMEONE/SOMETHING AT SOMEONE’S DISPOSAL: to make someone or something
available to someone (có sẵn theo ý muốn của ai)
Ex:–> I’d be glad to help you if you need me I put myself at your disposal
19 SPLITTING HEADACHE: a severe headache (đau đầu như búa bổ) (khi ra thi sẽ hỏi từ “Splitting”)
Ex:–> I’ve got a splitting headache I’m going upstairs for a nap
20 ON THE HOUSE: không phải trả tiền
Ex:–> I went to a restaurant last night I was the ten thousandth customer, so my dinner was on the house
21 HIT THE ROOF = GO THROUGH THE ROOF = HIT THE CEILING: to suddenly become angry
(giận dữ)
Ex:–> I”m afraid he will hit the roof when he finds out our vacation is canceled
22 MAKE SOMEONE’S BLOOD BOIL: làm ai sôi máu, giận dữ
23 BRING DOWN THE HOUSE: làm cho cả khán phòng vỗ tay nhiệt liệt
Ex:–> G-Dragon brought the house down He really brought down the house with his fantastic song
24 PAY THROUGH THE NOSE: to pay too much for something (trả giá quá đắt)
Ex:–> If you want a decent wine in a restaurant , you to have to pay through the nose for it
25 BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH: sát sao, rất sát
Ex:–> I got through calculus math by the skin of my teeth
Ex:–> I got to the airport a few minutes late and missed the plane by the skin of my teeth
26 PULL SOMEONE’S LEG: chọc ai
Ex:–> You don’t mean that You’re just pulling my leg
27 IT STRIKE SOMEBODY AS/THAT A STRANGE: lấy làm lạ
Ex:–> It strikes as a strange to me that he failed the exam because he is so smart and diligent a student
28 TAKE IT AMISS: to understand as wrong or insulting, or misunderstand (hiểu lầm)
Ex:–> Would you take it amiss if I told you I thought you look lovely? I was afraid you’d take it the wrong
Trang 229 HIGH AND LOW = HERE AND THERE: everywhere
Ex:–> I have been searching high and low for the gift I bought for my girlfriend
30 THE MORE, THE MERRIER: càng đông càng vui
Ex:–> Can I bring some friends with me?Yeah sure, the more, the merrier
31 SPICK AND SPAN: ngăn nắp gọn gàng
32 EVERY NOW AND THEN: sometimes
Ex:–> Every nowand then, I want to be alone
33 PART AND PARCEL: integral, crucial ( thiết yếu, quan trọng)
34 GO TO ONE’S HEAD: khiến ai kiêu ngạo
Ex:–> Too much success will go to her head
35 ONCE IN A BLUE MOON: rất hiếm (rare)
Ex:–> Once in a blue moon, I stop thinking about her If only she knew how much I loved her
36 FEW AND FAR BETWEEN : rare (hiếm gặp)
Ex:–> Go and tell her that you love her! That kind of girl is really few and far between
37 ON THE SPOT:(1) immediately (ngay lập tức)
Ex:–> I expect you to be on the post when and where trouble arises
(2): in trouble; in a difficult situation (gặp rắc rối)
Ex:–> I hate to be on the spot when it’s not my fault
38 ON THE VERGE OF = ON THE BRINK OF = IN THE EDGE OF: trên bờ vực (cẩn thận với giới từ
“on” và “in” nhé!)
Ex:–> Unless we take measures to protect tigers, they will be on the verge of extinction (lưu ý: take measures: đưa ra biện pháp)
39 IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS: good or bad things do not just happen a few at a time, but in large
numbers all at once (họa vô đơn chí)
Ex:–> First of allit was the car breaking down, then the fire in the kitchen and now Mike’saccident
40 BE ON THE WAGON: kiêng rượu
Ex:–> Bob’s old drinking buddies complained that he was no fun when he went on the wagon
41 LED SOMEBODY BY THE NOSE: to control someone and make them do exactly what you want them
to do (nắm đầu, dắt mũi ai)
Ex:–> They simply didn’t know what they were doing and they were led by the nose by a manipulative
government
42 AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR: vào phút chót
Ex:–> She always turned her term paper in at the eleventh hour
42 SELL/GO LIKE HOT CAKES: bán đắt như tôn tươi
Ex:–> The book has only just been published andcopies are already selling like hot cakes in both Britain and America
43 FIND FAULT WITH: chỉ trích, kiếm chuyện, bắt lỗi
Ex:–> It is very easy to find fault with the work others
44 OFF AND ON/ ON AND OFF: không đều đặn, thỉnh thoảng
Ex:–> We don’t often go there- just off and on
45 MAKE BELIEVE: giả bộ, giả vờ
Ex:–> I tried to make believe she was happy, but knew deep down it was not true
46 MAKE GOOD TIME: di chuyển nhanh, đi nhanh.
Ex:–> We made good time and were at the hotel by lunch time
47 LOOK DAGGERS AT SOMEONE: giận giữ nhìn ai đó
Ex:–> Their relationship is not free and easy but at least he is no longer looking daggers at her
48 BE OUT OF THE QUESTION: không thể được
Ex:–> You cannot get married until you are 18, it’s out of the question
49 ALL AT ONCE = suddenly: bất thình lình
Ex:–> All at once, there was a loud banging on the door
50 BLOW ONE’S TRUMPET: bốc phét, khoác lác
Ex:–> Anyone will tell you she’s one of the best journalist we’ve got, although she’d never blow her trumpet
51 SLEEP ON IT: suy nghĩ thêm về điều gì đó.
Ex:–> You don’t have to give me your decision now Sleep on it, and let me know tomorrow
52 FIGHT TOOTH AND CLAW/NAIL: đánh nhau dữ dội, cấu xé nhau
Trang 3Ex:–> We fought tooth and claw to retain our share of business.
53 PLAY TRICKS/JOKES ON: chọc phá, trêu ghẹo, chơi khăm
Ex:–> The kids are always play jokes on their teachers
54 DOWN THE DRAIN: đổ sông đổ biển (công sức, tiền bạc)
Ex:–> It’s just money down the drain
55 SMELL A RAT: hoài nghi, linh cảm chuyện không ổn
Ex:–> The minute I came in, I smelled a rat
56 THE LAST STRAW: giọt nước tràn ly
Ex:–> When she showed up late a third time, that was the last straw We had to fire her
57 GET THE HAND OF SOMETHING: nắm bắt được, sử dụng được
Ex:–> After three weeks of using this computer, I think I’ve finally got the hand of it
58 HARD OF HEARING: lãng tai, nặng tai
Ex:–> Tom is hard of hearing Therefore, we have to speak loudly so that he can hear us
59 KEEP AN EYE ON: coi chừng, ngó chừng
Ex:–> Please keep an eye on my baby while I’m out for a while
60 HAVE A BEE IN ONE’S BONNET (ABOUT SOMETHING): đặt nặng chuyện gì, chấp nhất chuyện gì
Ex:–> She has a bee in her bonnet about going to America
61 GET/HAVE COLD FEET: mất hết can đảm, chùn bước
Ex:–> I’m worried my members in this page may be getting cold feet about the university entrance exam Therefore, I will try my best to help them overcome this severe exam ^O^ *tặng các Fans dethithu.net*
62 ON SECOND THOUGHTS: suy nghĩ kĩ
Ex:–> On second thoughts, it was a dumb movie
63 IN VAIN: uổng công, vô ích
Ex:–> Government agents tried in vain kidnap him
64 CHIP IN: khuyên góp, góp tiền
Ex:–> If everyone chips in, we will be able to buy her a nice present
65 OFF ONE’S HEAD: điên, loạn trí
Ex:–> The old man has been off his head for at least a year
66 RUN AN ERRAND: làm việc vặt
Ex:–> I’ve got to run an errand I’ll be back in a minute
67 JUMP THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS: vượt đèn đỏ
Ex:–> They ignore people who jumps the traffic lights
68 FLY OFF THE HANDLE: dễ nổi giận, phát cáu
Ex:–> No one will fly off the handle for no reason
69 THE APPLE OF ONE’S EYES: đồ quý giá của ai
Ex:–> You are the apple of my eyes ^O^
70 BUCKET DOWN: mưa xối xả, mưa to
Ex:–> It’s been bucketing down all day
71 CLOSE SHAVE = NARROW ESCAPE: thoát chết trong gang tấc
Ex:–> Phew, that was a close shave I was so lucky
72 DROP A BRICK : lỡ lời, lỡ miệng
Ex:–> I dropped a brick when talking with my best friend, and now she doesn’t want to talk to me
73 GET BUTTERFLIES IN ONE’S STOMACH: cảm thấy bồn chồn
Ex:–> I always get butterflies in my stomach when it comes to taking test
74 OFF THE RECORD: không chính thức, không được công bố
Ex:–> What the president said is not to be printed It’s off the record
75 ONE’S CUP OF TEA: thứ mà ta thích
Ex:–> SNSD is my cup of tea They are so beautiful and talented Especially Seohyun, she looks so cute
76 CUT IT FINE: đến sát giờ
Ex:–> Only allowing half an hour to get from the station to the airport is cutting it fine, isn’t it?
77 GOLDEN HANDSHAKE: món tiền hậu hĩnh dành cho người sắp nghỉ việc
Ex:–> The manager got early retirement and a 600,000$ golden handshake when the company was restructed
78 PUT ON AN ACT: giả bộ, làm bộ
Ex:–> We’ve known you are a good swimmer – stop putting on an act
79 COME TO LIGHT: được biết đến, được phát hiện, được đưa ra ánh sáng.
Ex:–> Four soldiers have faced charges since the scandal came to light last fall
Trang 480 TAKE THINGS TO PIECES: tháo ra từng mảnh
Ex:–> Men like to take things to pieces and put them together
81 PUT ONE’S FOOT IN IT: gây nhầm lẫn, bối rối, phạm một sai lầm gây bối rối
Ex:–> I really put my foot in it when I asked her about her job I didn’t know she’d just been fired
82 PULL ONE’S WEIGHT: nỗ lực, làm tròn trách nhiệm
Ex:–> The rest of the team complained that Sarah wasn’t pulling her weight
83 MAKE ENDS MEET: xoay sở để kiếm sống
Ex:–> I have to work at two jobs to make ends meet
84 GET THE HOLD OF THE WRONG END OF THE STICK: hiểu nhầm ai đó
Ex:–> I think I must explain to her that she got hold of the wrong end of the stick again
85 CUT AND DRIED: cuối cùng, không thể thay đổi, rõ ràng, dễ hiểu
Ex:–> Although a deal has been agreed, it is not yet cut-and-dried
Ex:–> The human rights issue is by no means cut-and-dried
86 STAY/KEEP ON ONE’S TOE: cảnh giác, thận trọng
Ex:–> We had better keep on our toes while we’re walking along the dark portions of this street
87 SEE EYE TO EYE: đồng tình
Ex:–> I’m glad that they see eye to eye on the matter of the conference location
88 HAVE IN MIND: đang suy tính, cân nhắc
Ex:–> I don’t want to see a movie now, I have in mind going to the park
89 A LOST CAUSE: hết hy vọng, không thay đổi được gì
Ex:–> It seems that Charles will give it up I suppose he is a lost cause
90 TO BE BOUND/SURE/CERTAIN TO DO SMTH: chắc chắn
Ex:–> You’re bound to be late if you don’t hurry
91 AT HEART: thực chất, cơ bản (basically, fundamentally)
Ex:–> James sometimes seems quite unfriendly but at heart he’s a good person
92 TO KNOW BY SIGHT: nhận ra (recognize)
Ex:–> The woman said that she would know the thief by sight if she ever saw him again
93 NOW AND THEN = NOW AND AGAIN = AT TIMES = FROM TIME TO TIME = OFF AND ON
= ONCE IN A WHILE = EVERY SO OFTEN : sometimes (thỉnh thoảng, không thường xuyên)
94 TO TAKE PAINS: làm việc cẩn thận và tận tâm
Ex:–> She takes pains to do everything well
95 TO MAKE DO: xoay sở, đương đầu (to manage, to cope)
Ex:–> During difficult economic times, many people have to make do with less
96 CLOSE CALL = CLOSE SHAVE = NARROW ESCAPE: thoát được nguy hiểm trong gang tấc, mém
chết!
97 SELL SOMEONE SHORT: đánh giá thấp
98 FACE THE MUSIC: chịu trận
Ex:–> Mary broke a dining-room window and had to face the music when her father got home
99 LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG: to reveal a secret or a surprise by accident ( để lộ bí mật)
Ex:–> It’s asecret Try not to let the cat out of the bag
100 ON PROBATION: trong thời gian quản chế, tập sự ( công việc)
Ex:–> While Anne was on probation, she reported to the police regularly
Ex:–> John was on probation for a year
101 RAIN CATS AND DOGS: rain heavily (Mưa nặng hạt)
Ex:–> It’s raining cats and dogs = It’s raining heavily
102 CHALK AND CHEESE: very different from each other (rất khác nhau)
Ex:–> I don’t have anything in common with my brother We’re like chalk and cheese
103 HERE AND THERE: everywhere
Ex:–> I have been searching here and there for the gift I bought for my girlfriend
104 A HOT POTATO: something that is difficulut or dangerous to deal with ( vấn đề nan giải )
Ex:–> The abortion issue is a hot potato in the US
105 AT THE DROP OF A HAT: immediately, instantly ( Ngay lập tức)
Ex:–> If you need me, just call me I can come at the drop of a hat
106 BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD:
Ex:–>
107 BEAT ABOUT THE BUSH: avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about the issue (nói vòng
Trang 5vo, lạc đề)
Ex:–> Stop beating about the bush and answer my question
108 BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD: a good invention or innovation, a good idea or plan
Ex:–> Portable phones are marketed as the best thing since sliced bread; people think they are extremely good
109 BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL: to stay up working, especially studying late at night (thức khuya làm
việc, học bài)
Ex:–> I will have a big exam tomorrow so I’ll be burning the midnight oil tonight
110 CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO STOOLS: when someone finds it difficult to choose between two
alternatives (tiến thoái lưỡng nan)
111 LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER như gà mắc tóc
112 A BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND thằng chột làm vua sứ mù
113 MAKE HEAVY WEATHER OF khổ vì, điêu đứng vì
114 JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS kết luận vôi vã
115 WITHOUT FAIL Chắc chắn, nhất định